Insects

There are more species of insects than all other species combined!

“They’ve already found more than a million insect species, and their discovery rate shows no signs of slowing down.”

Phylum Arthropoda

Metamerism (body segmentation)

Jointed appendages

Rigid, jointed exoskeleton

Subphylum Uniramia

Insect Body Plan

Grasshopper from Ancient Egypt (1800 BC) from the Tomb of Horemheb

Cricket from Classical Maya culture (Mexico, 300 AD)

Zuni ceremonial bowl (North America, 19th C.)

17th C. Dutch still life

Ito Jakuchu

18th C. Japanese

The inscription:

“How beautiful is the cockscomb crowned in red. The mantis loves it and will not leave its side.”

Peonies and Butterflies, 1757

(a detail)

Pond and Insects, 1761-1765

67 insect species are depicted.

This painting coincides with the emergence of the field of Natural History in Edo Period Japan.

Lotus Pond and Fish, 1761

Fish, 1765-66

Fish symbolized prosperity and marital harmony in Japanese culture.

Scholars also think that Jakuchu was inspired by trips to the local fish markets.

Student work:

Pen, brush and ink

Graphite

Graphite

Pen and ink

Pen and ink

Brush and ink

Prismacolor and ink

Graphite, prismacolor, and ink

Graphite and prismacolor

Ink and pastel

ink and pastel

Ink and pastel (detail)

Ok: Let’s do bugs!